NEW DELHI, Dec 26 - The Central government has embarked upon a major policy initiative for rapid transformation of 115 backward districts across the country, including five districts of Assam.
In all, 11 districts of the Northeast have been identified as backward districts, which are part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s vision of a �New India� by 2022. The five districts of Assam identified as backward are Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri, Chirang and Dima Hasao, sources said.
Senior government officials in the rank of Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary have been designated as �Prabhari Officers� or the in-charge to coordinate the efforts of the Centre and the states in addressing the specific developmental needs of the districts.
The first meeting will be held on January 4 and 5 here where officials of the backward districts will take part. The meeting will be addressed by the Prime Minister.
Among the 115 backward districts countrywide, 35 are affected by Left wing violence. Shortly after this event, meeting of representatives of the State Governments and Prabhari officers is being organised to ensure that transformation of backward district in India is carried out by a dedicated team of Central and State governments.
The Prime Minister has given a Vision for a new and vibrant India by 2022, the year when India celebrates its 75th year of Independence. Inclusive development and improving the liveability of all are integral part of this vision. One of the initiatives in this regard is to make a dramatic improvement in overall socioeconomic development of backward districts
A total of 115 districts have been identified for this purpose on the basis of objective criteria. Such criteria include education, health, nutrition basic infrastructure like rural road connectivity, rural household electrification, access to potable water and individual toilets etc.
